During this visit, you should work with one or more groups of students if you haven't already, and observe your teacher doing the same. For this journal entry, describe your teacher's teaching style. What type of relationships with students does he or she nurture in his or her classes? How do students perceive that power is distributed in the classes? Does this vary within or across the different classes the teacher has? Cite examples from your observations to support your inferences. Remember to reflect on what style of teaching you will gravitate toward and the how you want to be perceived by your students.
Barrington Middle School
Mr. Borgueta
General Science Grade 7
Observation:
Mr. Borgueta’s teaching style is efficient, adaptable, student centered and built around the idea that students will be highly successful. He has created an atmosphere in his classroom where students not only respect and listen to him but also have fun and joke around. Every time I have visited the classroom students understand what is expected of them and get to work. They work hard too. As soon as students enter they settle down and begin their 3-2-1 activities. Or Mr. Borgueta explains that they should finish up a previous lab and then work on their next activity, which demonstrates his adaptable style within the classroom. Therefore, students are efficient and are constantly working towards being successful in science. Although most of the work I have seen students perform is inquiry based and lab oriented, Mr. Borgueta never hesitates to provide direct instruction when necessary.
Throughout all of Mr. Borgueta’s classes, students understand that he is in control and respect him for this. However, this does not mean that students and Mr. Borgueta’s interactions are strictly school related. Through observation I have seen Mr. Borgueta consistently walking around to check in on groups, gives them tips and joke around with them. His laid back demeanor does not detract his students from getting work done. If anyone has a question they do not hesitate to ask. Additionally, students willingly participate when he asks a question. Anytime that Mr. Borgueta needs to get the students attention when they are hard at work he quickly addresses them and they listen. To have the balance of being able to joke around yet still have the ability for students to respect and listen to you is not an easy task. Mr. Borgueta makes it look easy.
Reflection:
When I become a teacher I hope to incorporate Mr. Borgueta’s style of teaching into my own. I find it to be fascinating how well the students listen to him throughout the day. He has created a culture of working hard and having fun through collaboration. Every time I have been there students are working hard at the activity Mr. Borgueta presents them. Students then work together to find solutions and joke around along the way. If students get too rowdy, then Mr. Borgueta steps in to redirect their focus. However, these occurrences are far and few between. My goal is to create an atmosphere similar to what Mr. Borgueta has created. However, I will add to this teaching style by incorporating my strengths as a teacher. Through engaging hooks to getting to know what my students are interested in are just a few of the additions I would bring with me. In the end my goal is for students to become critical thinkers in all aspects of their life. If they love science at the end of the year then that is an added bonus.
Lastly, I would like students to respect me as a teacher and look forward to coming into my classroom. This balance is not an easy one to establish but is worthwhile to invest time into. Mr. Borgueta makes this look easy in his classroom and is similar to how I would like to incorporate it. Whether it be particular topics, my teaching style or the culture I create within my classroom, I want students to always remember my classroom in a positive outlook. This can create more experiences that can be positive for students with regards to science.
During this visit, you should work with one or more groups of students if you haven't already, and observe your teacher doing the same. For this journal entry, describe your teacher's teaching style. What type of relationships with students does he or she nurture in his or her classes? How do students perceive that power is distributed in the classes? Does this vary within or across the different classes the teacher has? Cite examples from your observations to support your inferences. Remember to reflect on what style of teaching you will gravitate toward and the how you want to be perceived by your students.
Barrington Middle School
Mr. Borgueta
General Science Grade 7
Observation:
Mr. Borgueta’s teaching style is efficient, adaptable, student centered and built around the idea that students will be highly successful. He has created an atmosphere in his classroom where students not only respect and listen to him but also have fun and joke around. Every time I have visited the classroom students understand what is expected of them and get to work. They work hard too. As soon as students enter they settle down and begin their 3-2-1 activities. Or Mr. Borgueta explains that they should finish up a previous lab and then work on their next activity, which demonstrates his adaptable style within the classroom. Therefore, students are efficient and are constantly working towards being successful in science. Although most of the work I have seen students perform is inquiry based and lab oriented, Mr. Borgueta never hesitates to provide direct instruction when necessary.
Throughout all of Mr. Borgueta’s classes, students understand that he is in control and respect him for this. However, this does not mean that students and Mr. Borgueta’s interactions are strictly school related. Through observation I have seen Mr. Borgueta consistently walking around to check in on groups, gives them tips and joke around with them. His laid back demeanor does not detract his students from getting work done. If anyone has a question they do not hesitate to ask. Additionally, students willingly participate when he asks a question. Anytime that Mr. Borgueta needs to get the students attention when they are hard at work he quickly addresses them and they listen. To have the balance of being able to joke around yet still have the ability for students to respect and listen to you is not an easy task. Mr. Borgueta makes it look easy.
Reflection:
When I become a teacher I hope to incorporate Mr. Borgueta’s style of teaching into my own. I find it to be fascinating how well the students listen to him throughout the day. He has created a culture of working hard and having fun through collaboration. Every time I have been there students are working hard at the activity Mr. Borgueta presents them. Students then work together to find solutions and joke around along the way. If students get too rowdy, then Mr. Borgueta steps in to redirect their focus. However, these occurrences are far and few between. My goal is to create an atmosphere similar to what Mr. Borgueta has created. However, I will add to this teaching style by incorporating my strengths as a teacher. Through engaging hooks to getting to know what my students are interested in are just a few of the additions I would bring with me. In the end my goal is for students to become critical thinkers in all aspects of their life. If they love science at the end of the year then that is an added bonus.
Lastly, I would like students to respect me as a teacher and look forward to coming into my classroom. This balance is not an easy one to establish but is worthwhile to invest time into. Mr. Borgueta makes this look easy in his classroom and is similar to how I would like to incorporate it. Whether it be particular topics, my teaching style or the culture I create within my classroom, I want students to always remember my classroom in a positive outlook. This can create more experiences that can be positive for students with regards to science.